Unit 2.5 Eco-design
- 1. Module 2 Unit 2.5 Eco-Design
- 2. Learning Objectives The aim of this unit is to introduce participants to the concepts and principles of eco-design and how this can be used to foster Circular Economy. Once you have completed this unit you will be able to: Learning objectives 1. Describe the principles of eco-design, 2. Identify a product’s life cycle and how eco-design can be implemented, 3. Describe strategies to make a product eco- design friendly. EQF Levels: This Content is mainly suitable for EQF level 5
- 3. Introduction The trend today is to go green - We recycle our bottles and cans, buy fuel-efficient cars and use energy-saving light bulbs in our homes. But is there more we can do? Proponents of eco-design would say YES - a lot more! Eco-design not only considers the environmental consequences of a product's use, but also its manufacture and disposal. Eco-design means taking the environmental impact of a product or service into account, over the whole of its lifecycle and in relation to various environmental aspects, while maintaining its functionality. It involves designing or redesigning products, services, processes or systems to avoid or repair damage to the environment, society and the economy.
- 4. Why does design matter? What the following video which gives some historical insight to how we can approach design and product development https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jEj5cTJzZ0
- 5. Product Life Cycle Thinking Products typically undergo the following stages throughout their life-cycle: • Raw material extraction • Product design • Manufacturing & Assembly • Use & Servicing • Disposal/Recycling But how does consideration of the product life-cycle help in the creation of eco-design solutions? DECISIONS MADE DURING DESIGN OF A PRODUCT IMPACT ALL SUBSEQUENT PHASES OF THE PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE. For eco-design ask - Does the design ensure that the product meets its purpose in the most energy and resource efficient way?
- 6. Principles of eco-design • Ensuring that products use fewer resources when used by end customers • Ensuring that products cause less waste and pollution when in use • Optimising the function of products and ensuring the most suitable service life • Reducing and optimising product packaging and the transport needed to distribute products
- 7. Principles of eco-design • Making reuse,repair, remanufacturing, disassembly and recycling easier • Ensuring legal responsibilities for goods, such as electrical and electronic goods are met • Reducing the environmental impact of disposal
- 8. Principles of eco-design • Ensuring that products use fewer resources when used by end customers • Ensuring that products cause less waste and pollution when in use • Optimising the function of products and ensuring the most suitable service life • Reducing and optimising product packaging and the transport needed to distribute products
- 9. Exercise • Think of a product that you use everyday • In light of circular economy principles, what design changes can be made to this product in order to improve: (a) its manufacturing (b) its consumption and use (c) its recycling?
- 10. Selection of raw materials Select Raw Materials From Sustainable Sources • Look for raw materials that are eco- friendly. Ask - What is the carbon footprint (carbon emissions) of the materials used, their extraction, processing and transport? Select In-house/local components & raw materials • Importing raw materials and components from overseas significantly contributes to a product’s environmental impact through the emission of harmful greenhouse gases during transportation.
- 11. Material selection Design using a minimum of material • Often you can reduce the amount of material by critically looking at dimensions, required strength and production techniques. Use recycled materials • Do not only make your product recyclable, but use recycled materials as much as possible. Source: http://inhabitat.com/designer-rabih-hage-uses-leftover- corian-to-create-fantastic-furniture/allpieces-jpg/
- 12. Supply chain decisions Design decisions can also be influenced through the supply chain. For example: • Selection of local suppliers to avoid pollution caused from the transportation of materials • Selection of suppliers which produce with the lowest carbon footprint • Asking suppliers for more recycled content in the materials purchased.
- 13. Design for Recyclability Consider the recyclability of the materials from which the product or packaging is made • Minimize the different types of materials used • If possible, move to a single material product • Carefully consider assembly techniques - for example, moving from screws to snap clips reduces the amount of time it takes to dismantle the product and they could also be made from the same material
- 14. Design for Transport efficiency • Can the packaging be designed so that more products fit onto one pallet? • Can it be designed to interlock or stack in a different way to allow more products to stack together? • Can shelf-ready packaging be introduced, thus eliminating the need for secondary and transit packaging and therefore fitting more products together in one pack? Source: http://www.opala.org/solid_waste/learning_center/Educational_Resources_Tools.html
- 15. Design for Concentration • If a product contains water e.g. cleaning products, drinks, can it be concentrated so the consumer can mix it with water at its destination? • This results in smaller and cheaper packaging, lower transport and storage costs and sometimes a longer lifespan of the product Source: http://www.living-low-carb.de/images/product_images/popup_images/1250_0.jpg
- 16. Design for Longevity • Can the product can be designed to last longer? • E.g. a kitchen knife design with 2 blades, so that, once the user cannot re-sharpen the first blade the blade can be swapped and the blunt one sent back to the manufacturer to be professionally sharpened.
- 17. Design for energy efficiency Products that use energy are starting to be covered by new regulations (under the European Energy Using Products Directive) which set out eco-design requirements, mostly to do with energy efficiency in use. Therefore, manufacturers are starting to have to document and reduce the energy used in standby, on and powered-down modes. Although energy efficiency does not contribute directly to circular economy since it doesn’t involve materials directly, it involves the use of fossil fuels in the production of energy – hence it is indirectly relevant. Source: https://www.goedkope-keuring.be/
- 18. Eco-design Case Studies Check out the following videos for examples of how eco- design can shape products. • Eco-helmet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3zC-tCILE4 • Furniture design https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijJcd4YaZPs • A Business approach to eco-design https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEZkaLvxldk
- 19. Summary • Eco-design means taking the environmental impact of a product/service into account, over all its lifecycle. • Decisions made during design of a product impact all phases of the product life- cycle, up to and including disposal/recycling. • This module presented various principles and strategies to assist in the creation of eco-design solutions. Key Links • Adopting and applying eco-design techniques http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652608002515 • Information on Green Skills http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/files/5524_en.pdf • Eco-Design in a Business Network http://www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/uploads/Resources/Conference/CADMC_presentations/murto- person-cambridge.pdf